[TheForge] Air cylinder stroke

[Dave Brown]

I'm putting together the pieces of a Kinyon style air hammer.  The plans 
call for 1.5" to 2" by 10" cylinders.  I can get a couple of 1.5"x8" 
cylinders free.  I know the effect of going down to the 1.5" size (lighter 
hitting, maybe slower than a 2" with the same weight ram).  What effect 
will the shorter (8" vx 10") stroke have on the hammers action?  At this 
point I'm assuming that it will mean I'll have to mount the cylinder 2" 
lower and that in turn will reduce the opening between ram at the top of 
the stroke and the anvil top ... but what will that mean to performance?

Dave Brown
Heritage Smithing
Green Bay, WI
ABANA, UMBA, GoM, MODA, ARG